Winning the Widow’s Heart

Turning her farm into a Pony Express station is the only way for recently widowed Rebecca Young to provide for her seven adopted sons and her young daughter. It also means contending with new station manager Seth Armstrong as he trains her boys to be riders. But Rebecca soon sees he has her children’s best interests at heart—and perhaps hers, too...

Seth plans on staying long enough to teach the boys how to survive the trail, before continuing on to search for his lost mail-order bride. But now, as he works so closely with Rebecca and her children, he’s glimpsing the possibility of a different future. Could changing course bring this cowboy the chance of true love and fatherhood he never expected?

Saddles and Spurs: Daring Pony Express riders risk all for duty—and for love

“I’m taking the midnight shift with Noah. If danger strikes, it will probably be then.”

So Seth would be with Noah. Rebecca had to admit that knowing this made her feel a little better. “Look, I don’t mean to be a pain, Mr. Armstrong, but these are my children. I have a right to know that they are safe. Or at least as safe as you can make them.”

He nodded. “I agree you do have that right. But you have to trust me to keep them as safe as I possibly can.”

Did she trust him? No, why should she? Rebecca told herself she didn’t really know the man at all. Still, Pony Express superintendent Mr. Bromley trusted him, so what other choice did she have? She’d have to try to trust Seth Armstrong to watch after her boys.

How did a mother release that kind of trust to a stranger? She reminded herself that to keep her family together, she’d have to try.

RHONDA GIBSON lives in New Mexico with her husband, James. She has two children and three beautiful grandchildren. Reading is something she has enjoyed her whole life and writing stemmed from that love. When she isn’t writing or reading, she enjoys gardening, beading and playing with her dog, Sheba. You can visit her at rhondagibson.net. Rhonda hopes her writing will entertain, encourage and bring others closer to God.

Pony Express Courtship

Rhonda Gibson

www.millsandboon.co.uk

A man’s heart deviseth his way:

but the Lord directeth his steps.

—Proverbs 16:9

This book is dedicated to the men

who rode the Pony Express routes.

To my husband, James Gibson,

my best friend and strongest supporter.

And to my Heavenly Father,

who helps me to reach my dreams.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Dove Creek, Wyoming

February 1860

“What were you thinking?” Rebecca Young demanded of her youngest son, Benjamin. She tossed the water bucket to the side. Her body shook as fearful images built in her mind. “You could have been killed.” The acrid smell of smoke in the early-morning air almost choked her as she fought for control. Benjamin might be adopted, but she loved him as much as she loved her daughter, Joy. The thought of losing him in a fire tore at her heart, leaving her feeling raw.

Black soot covered his young face and tears traced dirty tracks down his cheeks. He coughed, echoing coughs from others around them. The eight-year-old boy wrung his hands and shook his head from side to side. “I didn’t mean for it to happen, Ma.”

Fear and anger warred for control of her emotions. If Jacob hadn’t seen the flames tearing through the barn and gotten Benjamin out, her youngest son would have died in the fire. She couldn’t—she heaved a deep sigh—no, she wouldn’t let her fear take the sting out of her scolding. “But it did happen, Benjamin. How many times have I told you not to take a lantern into the barn?”

The tears increased and dripped off his quivering chin. Big brandy-colored eyes met her gaze. Fear filled them. Was it fear of her, or the fact that he could have died in the fire? “I’m sorry, Ma.” His voiced choked; he threw his arms around her waist and buried his head against her.

Rebecca ran her hands down his thin arms then embraced him tightly, unmindful of the black soot being smeared against the white of her apron.

Her gaze moved from one to the other of the six young men who stood in the yard. Her other adopted sons. Rebecca barely held back the tears, her heart winging a prayer of thanks that none of them were hurt putting out the flames.

Her oldest son, twenty-year-old Jacob, stared morosely at what used to be their barn.

The second oldest son, nineteen-year-old Andrew, kneeled on one knee at the edge of the clearing. He most likely desired privacy when he prayed, but that was a luxury big families couldn’t afford. How she’d love to join him and thank the Lord for His protection. Each of the boys had learned early on from her deceased husband, John, to pray about everything. She couldn’t help but be proud of Andrew for knowing where their help came from. Clayton, who’d just had his nineteenth birthday, dropped his water bucket, pure frustration lining his young face, and stomped back to the house. Rebecca knew he tried hard to hold in the pent-up fear and hopelessness that the burning barn caused and made a mental note to go to him as soon as she could.

Eighteen-year-old Thomas and eighteen-year-old Philip stood side by side, eyes darting back and forth, watching everything as it unfolded. The boys were best friends and had vowed to always stick together even before she and John adopted them.

Twelve-year-old Noah, the newest member of her family, looked ready to bolt. He stood frozen, motionless, waiting for what she would say or do next. He’d only been with her a couple of months and wasn’t sure about anything yet. He reminded her of a hungry dog—ready to fight if needed, but hoping for love and a little food to fill his belly.

The morning sun shone brightly over all of them now. But when the fire had first been detected, it had still been dark. Her boys had rushed to put out the flames, but they’d been no match for the heat radiating from the inferno. A heap of smoking, blackened timber filled the spot where the barn once stood. Thankfully, her five-year-old daughter, Joy, hadn’t come out to assist.

If John had been here, this never would have happened. Once more the loss of her husband struck home. How often in the past eight months had she wished that he was still alive? Too often.

After twelve years of marriage it was hard to believe he was gone. The boy sobbing into her apron drew her thoughts away from the past and her sorrow. She stroked Benjamin’s light brown hair.

An unfamiliar cough sounded and then a man cleared his throat. “I hate to disturb you, ma’am.”

She had all but forgotten the stranger who had raced into the yard and jumped in to help put out the blaze. Rebecca released Benjamin and turned toward the man. “I’m sorry, Mr....” She waited for him to fill in his name.

“Seth Armstrong.”

Rebecca wiped her hands on her apron. “Thank you, Mr. Armstrong, for stopping by to help put out the fire.” Thanks to his help, the fire had been subdued faster than it normally would have taken, but not before they’d lost the barn and everything in it.

“I was happy to help, Mrs. Young,” Seth answered, pulling her from her musings.

How did he know her name?

Before she could ask, Jacob barked out orders to the other boys. “Andrew, you and Philip go gather up the horses that arrived yesterday, put them in the training corral and feed them. Thomas, milk the cow and go get Clayton, tell him I said to find Brownie and Snowball and hitch up the wagon. We’re going to town for lumber.” He watched as the boys scrambled to do as he said.

“What do you want me to do?” Noah asked quietly.

Jacob walked over to the twelve-year-old and bent down to eye level. In a softer voice he asked, “Would you take Beni into the house and give him a good washing?”

Noah nodded. He walked over to Benjamin. “Come on, Beni. Jacob says we have to get you cleaned up.” The two boys left the yard and Noah had planted his hand firmly on Benjamin’s shoulder.

Jacob stood once more and came to stand beside Rebecca. She was very proud of her oldest son. John’s death had hit him the hardest and he’d taken to heart her husband’s last words—to take care of the family.

Her gaze returned to Seth Armstrong. He was a big man with deep green eyes and black hair. His shoulders were wide. And his hair touched his collar. Rebecca wondered if she was in some sort of shock. What did it matter what the stranger looked like? More important, how did he know her? Did her deceased husband owe him money? She prayed not. Even though John had left her secure, she didn’t have room in her budget to pay out extra money.

As if sensing her confusion, Jacob asked, “What can we do for you, Mr. Armstrong?”

His green eyes met Jacob’s. “Well, I suppose you could show me to my room.” He turned his attention back on Rebecca. “I’m the Pony Express station keeper that Mr. Bromley told you would be arriving.” He walked back to his horse and pulled down a carpetbag from the back of his saddle.

If John hadn’t already signed the contract to use their farm as a home station, Rebecca would have been tempted to call the whole thing off. But the boys needed the extra income and she didn’t want them to be forced to leave the farm to find other jobs. If it was in her power she’d keep them together as a family for as long as possible. Now she simply had to trust in the Lord and pray that everything worked out.

When John had told Rebecca of the Pony Express and how Mr. Bromley, the Pony Express ramrod, would be by to tell them more about what their part in it entailed, Rebecca never dreamed she’d be singlehandedly dealing with this many changes. Now that Seth Armstrong was here, she felt even more alone. Her farm was to be the home station and her boys Pony Express riders.

The original plan had been for John to be the one running the station, not a stranger. But once Mr. Bromley learned of John’s death, he had told her he’d be sending a station keeper to replace him. She’d suggested Jacob, but the route superintendent feared Jacob’s brothers wouldn’t listen and obey him like they would someone else, so he’d sent this new man.

“Mr. Bromley sent you?” Jacob’s question was for Seth, but he looked to Rebecca for answers, not the man who had just claimed to be the new boss on the farm. Confusion and hurt laced the depths of his eyes.

Rebecca’s heart sank knowing he wondered why she hadn’t told him of this latest development. She nodded. “Yes. Mr. Bromley came out last week when you and the others were fixing fences in the back pasture. When he found out that John had passed, he insisted we needed a station keeper. I planned to tell you and the other boys soon.” She hadn’t expected the replacement to arrive a week later and had thought she’d have more time to break it gently to Jacob.

Jacob nodded, but a thin veil of hardness covered his eyes. He turned his gaze back to Seth. “I’ll show you where you can put your things.”

Rebecca watched them head to the bunkhouse. She heard Jacob ask, “You got any papers on you? Proving you are who you say you are?” His young voice held strength, a strength she’d leaned on too heavily in the past few months.

Seth Armstrong chuckled. “Sure have. Right here in my bag. I’ll show them to you and Mrs. Young, once I get settled in.” He pulled his horse behind him as Jacob led the way to the bunkhouse.

She turned and looked at the smoldering pile of embers that used to be her barn. Gone. In just a few minutes the barn had burned to the ground. What had Benjamin been doing out here? Especially in the early hours of the morning?

Rebecca stepped closer to the rubble. She sighed. It looked as if she would have to dip into her funds to rebuild the barn. Jacob would have to ask for credit from the lumber mill and she’d add the nails to her growing tab at the general store. Once they had the total cost of the barn and all the supplies they’d need, she’d get the money from the bank and pay both men. She’d learned shortly after John’s death that if she didn’t deal with the men in this manner, they’d take advantage of her and she ended up paying more than what she’d actually owed. That wasn’t going to happen again.

As she walked back to the house, Rebecca called to the new Pony Express station keeper and Jacob. “Breakfast will be ready in half an hour. Don’t make me wait.”

The desire to call out to Mr. Armstrong to return to where he came from pulled at her vocal cords. She would like nothing more than to have the peace and quiet of her farm restored. But Rebecca knew that wasn’t possible. If she wanted to keep her family together, then the Pony Express would have to be a big part of it, and that included Seth Armstrong.

* * *

Seth laid his bag on the bed. Jacob had taken him to the small room off to the left-hand side of the bunkhouse. It contained a bed, a side table and a chest with a washbasin on the top. A wooden box hung above the trunk and held a razor and hand mirror. An adjoining door led to the remainder of the bunkhouse, giving him two methods of entry.

“I’ll get my things out of here after breakfast.” Jacob stood with his hand on the doorknob.

Seth hoped his words rang true as he said, “I hate to put you out.”

Jacob shook his head. “The other boys will be more comfortable with me than you in the other room with them.”

“I’m sure they will.” Seth took his Bible out of the bag and laid it down on the table.

Jacob studied the book as if it was a snake. “You read that often?”

“Every night.”

The boy nodded. “I’ll leave you to settle in and go check on the others.” He didn’t wait for an answer, but simply walked out the door.

Seth looked down at the worn brown leather of his Bible. It was the same one that his father had preached from and studied over for many hours. Jacob had acted as if it was poisonous, or might inflict harm, instead of being a balm that offered soothing words to a troubled soul. Had he been placed here to help the boy find his way to God? He doubted Jacob would welcome him in that area of his life any more than he welcomed him now as the new Pony Express station keeper.

He moved to the only window in the bunkhouse and looked out at the burned barn. Smoke still spiraled upward to the sky. Building a new barn would help him get to know the young men who were now his charges. Seth planned on staying just long enough to teach them how to survive the trail they were soon to be riding and then he’d continue on to search for Charlotte, his lost mail-order bride.

His thoughts went to the woman who had promised to be his bride. The last letter he’d received from her said she was taking the first stage out of California and should arrive in a few weeks, only she’d never showed. After his grandmother’s death, Seth had left his home in St. Joseph, Missouri, and begun searching for Charlotte. He was a man of his word and he intended to keep his promise to his grandmother. He’d find Charlotte and marry her. He knew he wouldn’t fall in love. His mother had taught him that to love someone meant getting hurt and he’d never go through what his father had. Never.

He doubted Charlotte had come to any harm. Her letters had indicated she didn’t want to get married any more than he did, but the girl had no other choices at the time. She’d been up-front in her reasons for answering his advertisement—lack of money and nowhere else to turn. He’d been honest, too, telling her he was trying to keep his last promise to his now-deceased grandmother. He’d also told her he didn’t believe in falling in love, as it only led to heartbreak and death. His own mother had deserted him and his father when he was a child. No, he wouldn’t open himself up to that kind of hurt again. He’d keep his promise to get married. He’d assured his grandmother he wouldn’t be alone after she died and he’d keep that promise, one way or another.

Unfortunately, shortly after leaving St. Joseph, a couple of road bandits had relieved him of his money. Thankfully, with some quick thinking and the fact that Sam, his horse, had been faster than the men, he’d gotten away.

Needing money, he’d returned to St. Joseph and signed on with the Pony Express. As the station keeper it was his job to swear in the boys and get them ready for the job ahead of them. But once he earned enough money, Seth planned on continuing his search for Charlotte. Taking a deep breath, he left the confines of his new room and walked outside just as Mrs. Young began to ring the dinner bell.

Its loud clang filled the yard and got the attention of all the boys. She looked to him and nodded. He returned the nod and headed toward the house. Rebecca Young looked as if she was in her early twenties, and from what he’d seen this morning, she seemed to rely on her oldest child to run the farm.

The boys were older than he’d thought they’d be. But from the looks of them, they would all make good riders. Mr. Bromley had told him they were just a bunch of farm boys and would need a lot of training. That was why Seth had arrived at the farm in early February instead of closer to his scheduled date of April third. He was happy to see the Pony Express horses had arrived safely. One of the boys closed the corral gate and headed up to the house.

Was he ready for all this responsibility? His gaze moved to the young men as they hurried to the house for breakfast. Mrs. Young stood on the porch hugging each of them before they went inside. She was a pretty little thing with a lot on her slender shoulders. He silently reminded himself not to get attached to any of the Young family, especially Rebecca Young.

He had to find Charlotte. Even though he had never met her, he still felt responsible for her and he wouldn’t break his promise to his grandmother.

* * *

Rebecca wasn’t sure she was up to the changes about to take place on her farm and in her home. Already things were different. Breakfast proved to be a quiet affair. Everyone seemed lost in their own thoughts or afraid to speak lest something worse occurred. Seth Armstrong made several attempts at polite conversation, but finally lapsed into an awkward silence when no one seemed inclined to answer with more than one word. Finally they each took their plates to the kitchen and then left single file. Rebecca cleared the rest of the table and washed the dishes. She wiped up the countertops and table, then poured the dishwater into the hog slop bucket.

Wagon wheels crunched near the front porch, reminding her that they were going to town for supplies. “Joy!” she called up the stairs. “Time to go!”

A smile parted Rebecca’s lips as she watched her five-year-old daughter cross the room. Joy had changed from her nightgown into a simple brown dress and had pulled her fine blond hair into a blue ribbon. “I got myself ready,” she said, twirling in a circle.

“I can see that. You look very pretty.” Rebecca grabbed her pale blue cloak and bonnet from the peg by the front door, then helped Joy into hers.

They stepped out onto the porch and Clayton jumped down from the driver’s seat to help them up. Benjamin, Philip and Thomas ran from the bunkhouse and landed in the back of the wagon with loud thuds.

“Where are Andrew, Noah and Jacob?” Rebecca asked, looking back at her sons.

“Mr. Armstrong says Andrew and Noah need to stay here and take care of the place,” Thomas answered, giving Philip a shove.

That accounted for Andrew and Noah, but not for Jacob and Seth. Rebecca looked toward the bunkhouse. “Where are Mr. Armstrong and Jacob?”

“Mr. Armstrong said we can call him Seth,” Benjamin answered with a grin.

“That doesn’t answer her question, Beni,” Philip said. He turned to look at Rebecca. “They are inside talking about why Jacob thinks we should all go to town.”

Thomas snickered. “If you call that talking.”

Rebecca lowered herself from the wagon. It was bad enough that Seth Armstrong had announced he was their new boss, but to cause strife this soon...well that was unacceptable.

“Ma, I wouldn’t interfere if I was you,” Clayton warned from his seat. “Jacob is in kind of a foul mood.”

“I can imagine.” Rebecca turned to the bunkhouse. “You boys stay put. We’ll be ready to go in a minute.”

She heard raised voices before she got to the door. Rebecca pushed the heavy wooden door open and walked inside. Her sons turned expectantly. “What’s the ruckus?” she asked, placing both hands on her hips and giving her children the “mother” look.

Jacob and Andrew each clamped their lips together. Noah studied the end of his muddy boot. It was obvious her boys had no intention of answering her.

Seth crossed his arms and met her gaze full-on. “We men are having a discussion.”

“From what I heard—” she didn’t bother telling him she heard it from Philip and Thomas “—you expect Andrew and Noah to stay here while the rest of us head to town.” Rebecca held up a hand to stop him from answering. “And if I know Jacob, he’s not happy with the arrangement and intends to stay with Andrew himself.” Her gaze moved from her oldest son to Seth. “Do I have it right so far?” Her eyes locked with the station keeper’s.

“I’d say that about sums it up,” Seth responded.

“Mr. Armstrong, may I ask why you want the two boys to stay behind? We’ve always gone to town as a family before.” His eyes were the prettiest shade of blue-green that she’d ever saw. Did they turn that color when he was angry? She mentally shook the thought away and focused on the problem at hand.

Seth sighed. “With the horses loose, Indians or bandits could come and steal them while we are gone.”

“That’s why I should stay,” Jacob growled between clenched teeth.

Seth turned to Jacob. “I need you to help me bargain for supplies. The men in town don’t know or trust me just yet. And since I don’t know them, either, I need you to make sure the Pony Express doesn’t get cheated.”

Rebecca realized that what he said was true. She knew that even though the men in town knew her, they didn’t want to bargain with a woman. They’d made that very clear shortly after John’s death. Jacob had a wonderful working relationship with them and the chances of them accepting Seth Armstrong from the get-go were slim to none.

“I have funds that we can use to rebuild the barn,” Seth said. “I’m sure Mr. Russell and Mr. Bromley will approve, considering they need the barn to house the Pony Express horses.”

Rebecca looked to Noah. The boy hadn’t looked up from his boots. He was so young. She didn’t like the idea of leaving him and Andrew alone on the ranch any more than Jacob. “Why leave Noah? He’s only twelve years old.”

“Because Jacob says that Noah is the best at using a rifle.” Seth’s gaze never left Jacob’s face, daring him to deny it.

That was true, too. Over the past few weeks, Noah had proven he could shoot the antennae off a grasshopper, if he had to. Rebecca walked between the men and looked her oldest son in the eyes. “Jacob, what he’s asking isn’t unreasonable. I’m sure that Andrew will see that Noah is kept safe.”

Jacob’s eyes held warmth and sadness in their depths. He nodded. “I’m sure he can, but it is my job to take care of this farm and my family.”

Unaware of the sorrow and weight of the promise Jacob had made to John, Seth interrupted, “Not anymore—it’s mine. Be in the wagon in five minutes.” He turned on his boot heels and left them standing looking at each other.

Rebecca concealed her anger toward Seth. Who did he think he was, coming in here and demanding that these boys follow him blindly? He didn’t know them. Or what they’d been through since John’s death.

She thought about staying home with Andrew and Noah, but she needed to get supplies for the house, and if she stayed behind, who would keep Seth and Jacob from coming to blows? She sighed. “Come along, Jacob. We’ll do as he asks today.” But as soon as they returned from town, she thought to herself, she’d be having a word with Seth Armstrong.

Chapter Two

The trip into town was frosty to say the least. Seth could feel the anger boiling over from both Rebecca and Jacob. He’d known coming into this job that it would be difficult. But he’d also thought that Rebecca and her boys knew what they were getting into.

As Dove Creek came into view, Seth stopped the wagon. After coming off the farm, the landscape had become flat and dusty. There were a few trees scattered about the town, but it didn’t offer the peace and greenery of the Young farm.

“Is this the first time you’ve been to town?” Rebecca’s soft voice drew him like bees to honey.

He nodded. “Yes. It’s not quite what I expected. Dove Creek sounds so pretty.”

A soft chuckle came from deep in her throat.

“Ma says that all the time,” Benjamin said from the back of the wagon.

Seth glanced over his shoulder at the little boy. He was sitting beside Joy and they’d been looking at a picture book most of the way to town. “She’s right.”

Benjamin nodded as if they’d come to a profound agreement and then turned his attention back to his sister and the book. Of all the siblings, those two looked most like brother and sister.

Bromley hadn’t told him anything about the family, other than their pa had died and that Mr. Russell and Mr. Young had made an agreement before the Pony Express had even been constructed. Seth’s orders were to swear in the boys by having them say the Pony Express rider’s oath and teach them what would be expected from them as Pony Express riders.

He flipped the reins over the horse’s backs and continued down the hill. The sooner they got to town, the sooner they could get home. He didn’t like leaving the other two boys at the house any more than Jacob did, but without a bar, the animals were out in the open and needed protection from not only Indians and bandits, but also other wild animals.

Seth felt the restrained movement as Rebecca shifted on the seat beside him. His gaze moved in her direction and caught the profile of Jacob, who sat beside his mother. The boy’s jaw was clenched and his eyes directed straight ahead. Rebecca had rested a slender hand on her son’s leg in silent comfort.

Returning his attention back to driving, Seth inwardly sighed. He and Jacob would have to sit down and talk about the boy’s attitude. Seth was sure there was more to it than just not wanting to leave his brothers behind.

“Would you drop Joy and me off at the general store?” Rebecca asked.

His gaze moved over the town. There was just a dirt road, and plain wooden-faced stores lined the streets. Smoke billowed from the top of each one and the smell of pine teased the air around them. At least they could warm up a bit before they started the long trek back. The church sat on the hill to the right side of them and he could tell by the children playing in the yard that it also served as the town school. Why weren’t the smaller Young children in attendance?

Since it really wasn’t any of his business, Seth chose to answer Rebecca’s question instead of asking one of his own. “We can do that.” He directed the horses down Main Street and continued to study the dusty town.

A saloon stood tall at the far end of the settlement. Not that he’d ever go there, but he knew the boys were of an age that they might be tempted. Seth mentally made a note to talk to the boys about such places, after they repeated the oath. As their boss he didn’t want them coming to town and getting drunk. Best to nip that sort of behavior in the bud. It would not be allowed.

He pulled the wagon up in front of the general store and hopped down. Seth turned to help Rebecca down but Jacob assisted her, his gentleness evident in the way he held her hand until she got her balance. Clayton had climbed out of the wagon and helped Joy down, as well. Benjamin scrambled over the side.

“Whoa! Where do you think you’re going?” Seth asked, moving to block the boy’s descent.

Benjamin jerked away from him. “To help Ma.”

“Not today. I need every man’s help to load lumber and nails.”

Benjamin’s little chest puffed out. “I get to help?”

“You’re one of the men,” Seth said, walking back to the front of the wagon.

He grinned as Benjamin whispered, “Did ya hear that, Ma? I’m one of the men.”

At least he’d made good points with one of the Young men.

* * *

Rebecca took Joy’s small hand within hers and entered the general store. A bell rang out announcing their arrival. She inhaled the onslaught of scents that greeted her. Spices and leather fought the strongest for her attention. Colorful burlap flour bags lined the middle shelf, right at eye level, and she ran a hand over them, her mind zipping along with plans for Joy’s next dress. The material proved soft to the touch and Joy loved to spin around, showing off the big flower design.

Joy’s hand tightened on hers as if giving a warning and she looked up. The owner of the general store, a mountain of a man, approached them. She glanced down at her daughter, wondering if Joy felt the same sense of unease she herself did around him.

“Hello, Mrs. Young. What can I help you find today?” He kneeled down in front of Joy. “How are you today, Miss Joy.”

As was her custom, Joy hid her face in Rebecca’s skirt. She mumbled, “Good.”

He held out his large hand. On top of his palm rested a lemon drop. “I’m glad to hear that.” His big brown eyes looked up at Rebecca. “Cat got your tongue today?”

Rebecca felt her ire rising. The man never did or said anything out of place; but he constantly made her feel uneasy. She handed him her list. “Hello, Mr. Edwards.” She patted Joy’s back. “Go ahead and take the candy, Joy.”

Joy tentatively took the candy and popped it into her mouth. Around the sweet she said, “Thank you.”

Mr. Edwards laughed loudly and stood. “See, that wasn’t so hard.” His gaze moved to the list and he whistled. “I see the men running the Pony Express pay you well.”

The list was longer than usual but Rebecca didn’t really understand why he assumed that Mr. Russell gave her the money for the items. Still, she didn’t correct him. She’d let him think what he wanted.

John had left his family in good financial stability. Thanks to his wisdom with money matters and his inheritance, she and Joy would never have to work a day of their lives. But it wasn’t enough to give the boys money to start their lives. John had said the Pony Express would give them the money they needed and open doors for each of them. She prayed it would be so.

Once more Rebecca felt the store owner’s brown eyes focused on her. “The church picnic is this Sunday. Would you like me to come out to the farm and escort you and the children to it?”

He’d never been so bold before. Rebecca’s hand fluttered to her chest. What would her older boys think of Mr. Edwards calling them children? She focused on the best way to reject him. “Thank you, Mr. Edwards, but that won’t be necessary.”

Something flashed in his eyes before he turned away from her. “You might reconsider—I hear the road bandits are becoming bolder. I’m sure they wouldn’t have a problem taking a single woman’s wagon and any cash she carried from her and a passel of kids.”

Did he think she and the boys were helpless? Heat filled her face and boiled through her blood. If so, was he threatening her?

She took a deep breath to calm herself. Experience had taught her to carefully consider her words before speaking. Her father-in-law, on the other hand, had often said plain talk was easily understood and that was just what the man in front of her would get.

“I don’t need a man to take care of me, Mr. Edwards. The good Lord has protected us through many dangerous situations and I have no doubt He will continue to do so. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but my boys are no longer little boys, but men.” As an afterthought she added, “But thanks so very much for your concern and for the invite.”

Joy poked her head out. Her sweet young voice broke the awkward silence between the adults. Worry lined her words. “Mr. Armstrong and Jacob will be with us, won’t they, Ma?”

She stroked her daughter’s silky hair, wishing Joy hadn’t broken her silence. “Yes, sweetie. There is nothing to fear.”

The bell over the door jingled again. Rebecca turned to see Mrs. Little and her eldest daughter enter the store. She wondered if all the women in the area brought someone with them when they came to visit the general store.

Mr. Edwards paid no heed to the other two women. “Mr. Armstrong?” His eyes bore into Joy’s as he waited for an answer. “Who is this Mr. Armstrong?”

Joy tucked her head behind Rebecca’s skirt again. Rebecca stepped in front of her daughter, protecting her from questions she had no knowledge how to answer. “I’d like to get our supplies as soon as possible, Mr. Edwards. The men will be back shortly to pick us up.”

Mrs. Little waited until the storekeeper went to retrieve the items on Rebecca’s list. “So you have a new man working for you?” she asked.

Well, it sure hadn’t taken long for that little tidbit to make its way around the gossip mill. She had learned one thing living in Dove Creek and that was people had very little to occupy their minds, so interest in the people around them bordered on harassment. However, Rebecca couldn’t dismiss the older woman as easily as she had Mr. Edwards. She’d been raised to respect her elders, and Mrs. Little could easily have been her mother. “He doesn’t exactly work for me.”

Mr. Edwards moved closer to them. He continued to add items to the box he’d begun to fill, but seemed to linger ever so near.

“I see.” The condemning sound in Mrs. Little’s voice had Rebecca quickly explaining.

“Mr. Armstrong works for the Pony Express. He’s been hired to be the station keeper by Mr. Bromley.” Rebecca moved to the fabric, where she knew Mr. Edwards couldn’t pretend to be gathering her supplies, since she hadn’t added any sewing notions to her list.

Mrs. Little followed. “Is this a young man, dear?”

Joy followed her mother about the fabric table. She picked up an edge to a pink print and said, “This is pretty.”

Rebecca touched the material. “I’m not sure his age, Mrs. Little. I only just met him this morning.”

The daughter snorted, drawing a frown from her mother’s face. “Catherine, that is very rude.”

Catherine was a newly married woman, but still had enough respect for her parent to look contrite and say “Sorry, Ma.”

Mrs. Little patted her daughter’s hand and turned her attention back to Rebecca. “Is he older than your pa?”

Rebecca hated this line of questioning. She knew where the older woman was going and didn’t like it. “No, but I don’t know how much younger than Pa he is.”

“Is he married?” Catherine asked, admiring a blue print.

Rebecca frowned. “I don’t know that, either.”

“Then what do you know?” Mr. Edwards asked.

“I know he showed up this morning, helped us put the fire out that burned our barn and announced that he is the new station keeper. That’s all I know.” Rebecca waved at the box in Mr. Edwards’s hands. “One of the boys will be back shortly to get our supplies. Please add the total to my tab, Mr. Edwards. I will be in on the first of the month to settle up.” She turned on her heels. “Come, Joy.”

The sound of Joy’s shoes tapping against the hardwood floor assured Rebecca that her daughter had followed her outside the store. Rebecca wasn’t sure if she was angry with Mrs. Little and Mr. Edwards, or at herself.

She didn’t know a thing about Mr. Armstrong other than what she’d told them. Why had she been so quick to accept him at face value? He’d waltzed in, said he was the station keeper and proceeded to boss them all around.

“Ma! Slow down,” Joy called behind her.

Rebecca stopped and looked at her daughter. “I’m sorry, Joy.” She waited for the little girl to catch up with her, then continued on.

Her boys were with a virtual stranger. How had she been so careless? Rebecca planned on finding out just who Seth Armstrong was and she planned to do it now.

After all, once Mrs. Little realized that he was a nice young man, she’d have the whole town in an uproar. They’d be wondering what went on out at the Young farm. How could Mr. Bromley have put her in this situation? Could she continue with this business arrangement?

* * *

Seth handed Mr. Kaziah the remainder of the payment for the wood and nails. He knew it would be pricey, but hadn’t expected it to be quite this expensive and wondered if the lumberman had overcharged him and the boys. Thankfully, Mr. Russell, one of the Pony Express founders, had supplied him with a hefty budget for turning the farm into a Pony Express station. Seth had been told by Mr. Bromley that since the buildings were already there, they hadn’t done much work to the place and to spend what he needed to on the repairs. He’d have to send a full report to the older gentleman, explaining this added expense.

“Here comes Ma and Joy,” Benjamin announced from his perch on the bench of the wagon.

He turned to see the boy’s mother heading toward them. Her face was set, but it was her eyes that caught and held his attention. She glowered at him, the blue orbs piercing the distance between them.

“She looks mad.” Benjamin turned to face his brother, confirming Seth’s earlier thought. “I wonder why.”

Philip answered, “Beni, mas don’t get mad. Dogs get mad. Mas get angry.” A teasing grin touched the young boy’s lips but his eyes seemed weary.

Thomas slapped his brother on the back. “Good one, Phil.”

“Jacob, Mr. Armstrong. I need to speak to you both, now please,” Rebecca announced as she walked toward the lumberyard.

Seth turned back to Mr. Kaziah. “Thank you for helping us load the wagon. You’ll be sending the rest out later today, right?”

The older man nodded and then leaned toward him. In a low, gruff voice he whispered, “I don’t envy you. Taking on a passel of kids and that woman. She’s a bit of a feisty one.” He turned away and hurried back inside the lumber mill before Seth could answer.

What did he mean take on? Surely, Mr. Kaziah hadn’t assumed that he and Mrs. Young were courting. He shook his head and then turned to face Rebecca. Jacob already stood by her side and was now holding Joy in his arms. The little girl rested her head in the neck of her big brother.

When he was within talking range, Seth asked, “What happened, Mrs. Young?”

She stopped as if his question took her by surprise. “I just realized that I never got a look at that paper you said you carried from Mr. Bromley.” She placed both hands on her hips and waited for him to speak.

Seth frowned and tilted his head to the side. “That’s important now?” he asked. What had happened at the store to cause her to demand to see it now? Was that a speck of fear he saw in her eyes?

She nodded, brought up her arms and crossed them over her chest. Her eyes bore into Seth’s.

Jacob set down Joy. “Everything is all right, Ma. I saw it. Mr. Armstrong is who he says he is.” He tilted up the little girl’s face and smiled down at her. “Joy, go ask Thomas to help you into the wagon.”

The little girl nodded. “All right, Jacob.” She turned and ran to her other brothers.

So that was it. Rebecca had been afraid she’d left her children’s care in the hands of a dangerous stranger. Even though they were grown men, Rebecca still saw them as her babies. He softened his voice and offered her a smile. “I will be happy to show them to you, too, Mrs. Young, when we get back to the farm.” Seth waited for her nod then turned back toward the wagon. Over his shoulder he asked, “Do we need to return to the store to pick up your purchases?” He was aware that she hadn’t brought anything with her except Joy and her handbag.

“Yes, please.” Her voice sounded tired, almost sad.

Seth turned to look at her. Her shoulders slumped and her eyes had changed from angry to simply drained. Was the excitement of the day turning out to be too much for the woman? One would think she’d be used to busy days with seven boys and a little girl to take care of. He noted that both Benjamin and Joy were seated on the wagon bench. In a loud voice, he said, “We’re done here. Let’s go.”

Without hesitation the young men climbed in on top of the wood.

Jacob walked with his mother, but as soon as he’d helped her up onto the wagon, he shook his head at his brothers. “Off, guys. The horses have enough to pull without adding our weight to their load.”

Just as quickly, the young men all climbed back down.

Seth nodded. Jacob was right. “Beni, do you know how to drive a wagon?” he asked.

The youngest Young boy grinned from ear to ear and nodded. He quickly picked up the reins. “Sure do, Seth. Want me to drive us home?”

Rebecca stood to disembark from the wagon also.

“Mrs. Young, why don’t you stay seated?” He indicated with a tilt of his head that Benjamin needed a supervisor sitting beside him. The boy held the reins tightly, waiting for his reply.

She nodded her understanding and returned to her seat.

Seth answered the little boy. “I’d appreciate it if you would drive the wagon, Benjamin. Your brothers and I will follow behind making sure that the wood stays in place.”

Seth looked down at his new brown boots. He had a sneaking suspicion that he would soon be wishing he had brought his horse to town before they got back to the farm. In his rush to prove his leadership, he’d decided to drive the wagon to town, never once considering that he’d more than likely end up walking back. Lesson learned, Armstrong, he thought as he followed the wagon toward the general store.

Other than the Pony Express horses and the two old mares, Brownie and Snow, Seth realized that the boys didn’t have mounts of their own. Once they got back to the farm, he’d remedy that and give the boys each a Pony Express horse to take care of and bond with.

Jacob strolled along beside him. In a low voice he said, “We should have thought ahead and brought more horses.”

Seth jerked his head around and looked at the young man. The twinkle in Jacob’s eyes attested to the fact that he, too, saw the folly of their earlier disagreement. “Yep, won’t let that happen again.”

“Nope, I don’t reckon we will,” Jacob agreed.

A cold breeze stirred the hair on his neck. “I was thinking all you boys need a mount of your own to train with. What do you think?” Seth waited to see if the boy realized that he was being offered respect by his inclusion in the decision.

Jacob nodded. “We all know how to ride, you don’t have to worry about that, but I’m a little concerned about the younger boys riding unfamiliar horses. All except Noah, who seems to be very talented with a horse as well as his gun.”

Seth nodded and listened as the other boys joked and chatted behind them. “Well, that’s one of the first things we’ll do, then, as well as we rebuild the barn. I don’t like that the animals are out in the open.”

“Neither do I.”

The wagon stopped in front of the general store. Rebecca turned on the seat. “Jacob, would you go in and get our supplies, please?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Jacob stepped up on the boardwalk and entered the store. Rebecca turned back to her younger children.

Two women stood across the street and talked behind their fans, while a couple of well-dressed businessmen stood with their hands in their front pockets and Seth noticed that the sheriff leaned on the post in front of the jail. All eyes seemed to be trained on them.

Seth looked to the other boys. He wondered what the town must think of them all standing behind the wagon like a bunch of stray dogs. In two long strides he stood with the boys. “When we get back to the farm I’d like for you boys to go to the corral and pick out a mount. This is the last time we are leaving town on foot.”

Excitement coursed through the boys at his words. The discussion of colors and gender filled the air. He grinned. So far his relationship with the Young family had been tense, but maybe now it would get smoother.

Seth turned back to the wagon in time to see Jacob exit the store. The young man’s clenched jaw and burning eyes spoke volumes as to his anger. So whatever had set off Mrs. Young had just happened to Jacob.

His gaze moved to the store, where a big man now stood in the doorway. The man wore a shopkeeper’s apron but something about him screamed he wasn’t your typical salesman. No, this man meant trouble for the Young family and now with his eyes boring into Seth, Seth knew he meant trouble for him, too.

“Here you go, Ma.” Jacob set the box on top of the lumber and then looked to Benjamin. “Lead the way home, Beni.” He offered the boy a smile that didn’t quite meet his eyes.

When Jacob fell into step beside Seth, Seth asked, “Want to talk about it?”

“Nope.”

That was answer enough for Seth. “Fair ’nough, but if you change your mind...” He let the rest hang between them.

Jacob nodded his understanding. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw that his brothers were excited about something and asked, “What has them all in a dither?”

Seth grinned. “Just told them they can choose a horse when we get back.”

Again Jacob nodded and then fell silent. His brow furrowed between his eyes. Seth realized that in a day, the Young family’s lives had been changed.

He could relate to change; his life had also been altered in the past few months. On her deathbed, his grandmother had made him promise to marry. He’d ordered a mail-order bride and then his grandmother had died. His mail-order bride, Charlotte, had disappeared. He’d quit his job at the St. Joseph railroad and begun his mission to locate her. He’d been robbed by outlaws and it had been necessary to find a job. Thus the reason he now found himself an employee of the Pony Express as the station keeper on the Young farm. He would work and save his money so he could continue the search for Charlotte because he had to fulfill his promise to his grandmother.

The air seemed to match Jacob’s mood and turned frosty. Seth sighed inwardly. He had a job to do and knew he couldn’t do it alone, so silently he turned to his Maker. Lord, this family’s emotions are all over the place. Please, help me to bring some kind of peace to them while I’m here.

Chapter Three

Anger radiated from her oldest son. She’d felt it all the way from town. As she climbed down from the wagon, Rebecca called to him, “Jacob, will you help me carry the supplies into the house?” Rebecca had a feeling she knew what was wrong with Jacob.

“Sure, Ma.” Jacob took the box from the wagon and followed her up the porch steps.

“Boys, let’s unload this wood,” Seth ordered. His strong voice had her other sons hurrying to do his bidding.

Rebecca held the door open for Joy and Jacob. Once inside she said, “Joy, go change into your work clothes.” Then she headed for the kitchen, where the real work awaited her.

She allowed Jacob to place the box on the kitchen counter and then asked, “What happened in the general store that upset you so?”

Jacob met her gaze. “Do you have any idea what they are saying about you and Seth?” He lowered his eyes as if realizing for the first time how personal this situation was for his mother.

“I have a good idea of what Mr. Edwards says.” She began to unload the box.

Anguish filled the young boy’s voice. “It isn’t right.”

Rebecca sighed. “No, son, it isn’t, but I can’t stop people from talking.” She met his gaze. “We need the money the Pony Express pays to provide a future for you boys and the experience it offers could be useful later in life. You’re going to make history, I just know it. Papa John thought so, too.”

“Well, we may not be able to stop them from talking but I made the decision to move back into the house on the way home. You and the little kids need a grown man to watch over things.” He put both hands on the back of the chair and leaned into it.

She turned her back on him to hide her grin. Her oldest son planned to protect her reputation. Rebecca nodded. “I like that idea. Why don’t you take the room across from mine?”

His sigh warmed her heart. Day after day, Jacob proved to be a good man and, God willing, would make a good husband someday, too. “I’ll go help unload the wood and then bring my things inside.”

Rebecca turned from the spices she’d just taken from the box. “Jacob, wait.”

He stopped and looked at her, his eyes sad. Things had changed a lot for the young man in just a matter of hours. Rebecca walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his narrow waist.

Jacob hugged her back. “It will be all right, Ma. Seth seems like a good man. I’m sure he’ll set folks straight soon enough.”

Rebecca grinned. Once more the boy thought only of her. She pulled away. “I’m sure he will, son.” She released him. “You better go on out and help with the lumber.”

Jacob patted her shoulder, then turned to do as she said. Rebecca wanted to pull him back, offer him comfort, but Jacob wasn’t twelve years old anymore. He’d work through whatever bothered him in his own time. She just prayed he’d share his troubles with her should they get too great for him to carry alone.

* * *

Seth looked around the barnyard. The lumber had been delivered from the general store. Each of the boys had chosen a mount to care for and Jacob had shared his concerns about his ma and younger siblings being in the house alone at night.

The horses moved quietly in the corral as the sun sank in the western sky. Weariness hung about Seth’s shoulders like a dark thundercloud.

Rebecca stepped out on the front porch. He waved to her and watched as she walked across the yard to join him. A light blue shawl hung over her shoulders, and her hair, which he’d only seen up in a bun, now hung down her back in a braid that reminded him of a golden lasso.

When she got within speaking distance he said, “I’m about to swear the boys in as Pony Express men. Would you like to join us?”

“Yes, John and I had planned on doing that as a family, so I should be there, even if he can’t be.” Rebecca pulled the edges of her shawl tighter around her shoulders. Sorrow filled her pretty blue eyes. “Is it a ceremony-type swearing in or a simple handshake and ‘welcome to the Pony Express’?”

“It’s a solemn formality, so, yes, I guess it’s a ceremony.”

“Would you like to use the house? I could put on the tablecloth we use for special occasions. It’s late but shouldn’t take but a few minutes.”

“No, that won’t be necessary. In front of the fireplace will be fine. That way, Benjamin will see how we do things and learn what’s ahead for him and perhaps even look forward to it.”

Seth had thought about having her come to the bunkhouse, but at her suggestion he decided it might be better to have the boys go to her. Plus, she’d have to bundle up Joy and Beni, so it would be easier on her if he brought the boys to the house. “I’ll get the boys and we’ll be right in,” he offered.

“Thank you.” She turned and walked back to the house.

Ten minutes later, they assembled in the living room, Joy propped against Rebecca’s legs, her corn-silk doll in her lap. There was an air of expectancy among them, an excitement about the unknown.

Seth cleared his throat. “This is an important day as you boys take your first step into manhood. When a boy can handle responsibility, can be depended on to carry out a job, then he is thought to be a man. I trust that each of you will with honesty and pride uphold your position in the United States Postal Service.” He reached to pick up his Bible from the table. “If you young men will step forward we will commence with the swearing in.” They walked forward, shyness preventing them from showing how eager and proud they were to be involved in something bigger than themselves.

When they stood in front of him, he paused a moment, his gaze moving from one to the other. “Lift your right hand and repeat after me. ‘I—’” he waited until each boy had voiced his name, then continued “‘—do hereby swear, before the Great and Living God, that during my engagement, and while I am an employee of Russell, Majors and Waddell, I will, under no circumstances, use profane language, that I will drink no intoxicating liquors, that I will not quarrel or fight with any other employee of the firm, and that in every respect I will conduct myself honestly, be faithful to my duties, and so direct all my acts as to win the confidence of my employers, so help me God.’”

The boys repeated the words with force and pride. Seth glanced at Rebecca and noticed Benjamin standing beside her, holding the same pose as the other boys. He walked over to him. “Benjamin, did you say the oath, also?”

Benjamin nodded his small head, his eyes down.

Rebecca dropped a hand onto the little boy’s shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. Her eyes begged Seth to let the boy pretend to be a Pony Express rider.

Seth kneeled down in front of him. “Do you understand what you’ve agreed to?” he asked.

Benjamin bravely met his gaze. “Yes, sir.”

Seth nodded. “Well, in that case, go get in line with the other men. You’ve pledged to be a Pony Express man.” He stood and met Rebecca’s gaze as the little boy darted around him and went to stand beside Jacob. Gratitude and moisture filled her eyes.

For a moment, Seth understood her burden. She had a houseful of children to care for and she did it on her own. His respect for her inched up a degree. Seth nodded at her then returned his attention to the young men now fully in his charge.

Seth picked up the stack of Bibles that he’d carried with him to the farm, now a full-fledged Pony Express station. He handed one to each of them. “You are now employees of the Pony Express. Jacob, I have decided that you will be the station’s stock tender. Your job is to take care of all the horses and make sure that a horse is ready to ride at all times. Andrew, Clayton, Thomas, Philip and Noah, you will all be riders. Your job is to make sure that the mail goes through.” Each young man nodded in turn.

Benjamin studied the tip of his brown boots. Seth knew the boy felt left out. He ran his small hand over the engraving on the front of his new Bible.

Seth fought the grin that threatened to break across his face. He steeled himself and then said, “Benjamin, you are too young to be a Pony Express rider, so I am making you the stock tender’s assistant. It will be your job to help Jacob take care of the horses and barn. Whatever Jacob or I ask you to do, you will do it.”

A smile split Benjamin’s lips. “I’ll be the best stock tender’s ’sistant that anyone has ever met.”

Seth wasn’t sure there were other stock tender assistants in the Pony Express, but he nodded just the same. “I’m sure you will.” He motioned for everyone to sit down, then pulled up a stool for himself and faced them. “I’m not sure what Mr. Bromley told you about your jobs, but let me assure you they are dangerous. You will face bad weather, robbers, outlaws and Indians. None of these should be taken lightly. You’ll have to think on your feet, learn to outrun, outsmart, and you need to trust your gut. The main point is, stay alive but get the mail through. Do you have any questions?” Seth immediately looked to Benjamin, but the boy remained silent along with his brothers. “Since there are no questions, let me explain to you exactly what my job entails. I am called a station keeper for a home station—that’s what the farm is called. I make sure that you men are ready to ride. That the station runs smoothly and that the horses are tended well. I also make sure that during your stay at the home station you aren’t idle. You will follow my orders. If I say build a fence, you build a fence. If I say ride on out, you ride on out. Is that understood?”

“What about Ma?” Benjamin asked.

Seth looked at the boy. “What about your mother?”

“Does she have to take orders, too?” His eyes challenged Seth, something Seth hadn’t expected. He smiled at the boy.

“No, your mother isn’t a Pony Express employee.”

“Oh.”

Clayton asked, “What if Ma says to chop wood and you say to ride out, then what?”

“You ride out,” Seth answered, aware they walked a tight line here. “But if you aren’t working for me and your Ma says chop wood, you best chop wood.”

Rebecca spoke for the first time since they’d all arrived in her living room. “Mr. Armstrong, I can understand the boys’ confusion.” She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “They simply want to know who has the most authority, you or me?”

Seth knew that. How many other station managers had to answer questions like these? He doubted any of them did. “It’s really very simple. They work for me. Each boy will have time off and that is when they can do whatever you need or want them to.”

Her eyes flashed but she simply nodded. He noted her growing quietness as he outlined the job. First the barn had to be rebuilt and second they’d need to work on their riding skills.

Did she disagree with him on what her sons would be doing? Or did she just not like the way he’d come in and replaced her deceased husband? Confrontation wasn’t his strong suit when it came to women, but Seth had known from the start that he and Rebecca Young must have a heart-to-heart discussion about what might and would happen to her farm and children.

* * *

Rebecca finished making Jacob’s bed then headed to the living room to wait for Seth and Jacob to return to the house. Joy and Benjamin were both tucked in for the night and the house seemed very quiet. Normally she relished this time, but tonight the stillness seemed to grate on her frayed nerves.

Earlier, as the boys had filed out to return to the bunkhouse, Seth had stood beside her and quietly asked if he could speak to her in private. She’d agreed. Not because he’d asked for the meeting, but because there were things she needed to say to him.

She’d have to be both blunt and gentle in her words to the man. Rebecca knew without him having to say so that he wasn’t going to agree with her thoughts, but she had to speak them.

Would he fire the boys? Tell Mr. Bromley that the Young farm wouldn’t make a good home station after all? What would she do if he did that? What would become of her boys?

If they worked for the Pony Express, each one of them could potentially earn enough to buy a parcel of land, or go to a college back east. They would have a foot up to a better life. John had left her well-off, financially, but the boys would need to earn their own way.

But at what cost? Their lives?

Chapter Four

Rebecca heard them come through the door and stopped pacing. Jacob carried a box with his things in it. Cold air whipped about the room as Seth closed the door behind them. He, too, carried a box of Jacob’s things.

“I’ll take these to Jacob’s room and then be back for our talk,” he told her as he passed.

She had to get her thoughts together. How should she approach her concerns with him? Calmly and quietly. That was the way she always approached John—Seth would be no different.

He reentered the room alone. Rebecca sat down on the couch and motioned for him to take the chair across from her. She decided that since he asked to speak to her, she’d let him go first.

Seth sat down but leaned forward on the edge of the seat, placing his brown hat on his knee. “Mrs. Young, I get the impression that you don’t care for the way I’m running things around here.” He lifted his right eyebrow as if to accent his statement.

Rebecca chose her words carefully. “I have my concerns. You’ve been here one day and I can’t say what you are doing is good or bad.”

“But?”

She took a deep breath. “But I didn’t think my two youngest boys would be working with the Pony Express.”

He sat back. “So you are objecting to me swearing Noah and Benjamin in as employees of the Pony Express?”

“Yes.” She knitted her fingers together and laid them in her lap. “Well, no.” She shrugged to hide her confusion. “I know you included Beni so he could feel important. I’m grateful.” To her annoyance she heard herself start to stammer. She forced her voice to steady and reined in her thoughts. “I just feel Noah is too young and small to be a rider and Beni shouldn’t be burdened with such a heavy workload.” She searched his eyes, looking for signs of anger.

Seth offered her a grin. “Benjamin is too young to ride. That’s why I made him Jacob’s assistant. The boy wants to prove himself and who would be a better teacher than his oldest brother?”

Rebecca recognized a spark of amusement in his gaze and relaxed a little. “Yes, Beni wants to do what his big brothers do.”

“As for Noah, Jacob seems to think Noah is the best horseman on the farm and stated that he is good with his gun. Both are important skills I need in riders.”

She clutched her hands tightly in her lap. “But he’s twelve and I’ve only had him a few months. I don’t know if he’s ready for this responsibility.” Rebecca searched Seth’s face. Did he understand what she was saying?

Seth leaned forward again. “What do you mean you’ve only had him a few months?” His eyes searched hers, looking for what she could only assume was both confusion and truth.

“Noah is adopted, Mr. Armstrong. All of the boys are. I thought Mr. Bromley would have told you that.” From the look on his face it was obvious Seth hadn’t known.

“No, he didn’t,” Seth said. “I thought it odd that none of them look like you or each other. Well—” his voice broke in midsentence “—except Joy, she looks like you.” He offered her a smile.

Rebecca couldn’t help but smile. “Joy is my daughter by birth. She is the only child John and I have. But that doesn’t change the fact that I love the boys just as much as I do Joy and I don’t want to see them get hurt...or die.”

Seth met her gaze and held it. Sincerity rang through his voice as he vowed, “I promise as long as I am the station keeper here, I will do everything in my power to keep the boys safe and alive. Safety is the reason I will teach them how to ride, shoot and avoid trouble while out on the trail.”

She understood that the boys would be in danger and that she didn’t consider them to really be men. The orphanage had called them men at the age of twelve, the same age as Noah, but to her they were still her little boys.

“I know you are still concerned and I can’t blame you. Being a Pony Express employee is dangerous. The only thing I can do is teach them how to survive and pray that God keeps them safe. It’s either that or I fire them all and have Mr. Bromley send me a new set of men.” He shook his head. “I really don’t want to do that, Mrs. Young. I truly believe these young men have what it takes to be riders. I’ll leave that decision up to you.”

Rebecca didn’t want him to fire the boys. She’d promised John that she wouldn’t interfere when this time came. John had wanted his sons to become honorable, strong individuals who could take care of themselves and their families, should the Lord one day bless them with such. He firmly believed the Pony Express would provide the training that life had cheated these boys out of. “No, they would never forgive me if I asked you to fire them.” She didn’t tell him that the money the boys made would provide for their future well-being, establishing them in whatever careers they chose.

He exhaled as if he’d been holding his breath. “Thank you. I know this is hard for you and I want to make it easier on both of us. How about we have a nightly meeting? I can fill you in on what I’m doing with the boys in regard to their duties as Pony Express riders and you can tell me if you need them to assist you with something specific around the farm.”

It was a reasonable request and far more than some men would have offered her if they had been in Seth’s position. Rebecca nodded. “That would be nice, thank you.”

They sat still for several moments. The sound of boots retreating down the hallway alerted Rebecca that one or more of her children had listened in on their conversation. A grin crossed Seth’s lips. He’d heard it, too.

“Mr. Armstrong, I’d like to suggest that we have our conversations out on the porch if the weather permits. I’m sure there will be times when we don’t want others hearing your reports.” Rebecca unclasped her hands and then stood.

“That sounds like a good idea to me. If the boys think you need a chaperone, they can watch us through the window of the bunkhouse.” He picked up his hat from his knee and stood also. He pulled a piece of paper from his hip pocket and handed it to her.

Rebecca looked down at the paper. “What’s this?”

“The letter from Mr. Bromley. I should have shared it with you sooner. You can return it to me in the morning.” Seth walked to the door and left.

She sank down onto the couch. Was she doing the right thing letting the boys continue working for the Pony Express? Sure, they each would need the money they’d make, but... Rebecca warred with her conscience—did they need the money so badly that she’d allow them to put their lives in danger? Wasn’t her job as the adult and their mother to protect them until they were old enough to know what they were doing?

Not wanting to answer that question, Rebecca pressed on with her thoughts as she looked down at the letter. Without the money, the older boys would have to leave home and seek out work. Her family would swiftly break up.

So soon after losing John, Rebecca knew she wouldn’t be able to cope with losing any of the boys. And there was always the likelihood that they’d find other work, maybe even more dangerous work. She shuddered at that thought.

She couldn’t allow that to happen to her precious boys. No, to keep her family together Rebecca would allow the boys to continue working for the Pony Express.

* * *

Seth looked up at the framework of the barn. He stood amazed at how quickly he and the boys had gotten the structure up. Sawdust floated in the sun’s rays and the pleasant smell of pine mingled with their sweat and filled the air around him.

He placed a hand on the pole closest to him and gave a shove. It didn’t budge. Solid and stable. His smile broadened in approval. They’d worked hard and accomplished a lot in one morning. Could be that this little group of misfits would accomplish much more than he had hoped for. But one thing had been proven to him as they worked. The boys needed a firm hand to stay at the job; they worked as long as you kept your eye on them, but fun was uppermost in their minds.

His gaze moved to the boys now washing up for lunch. It wasn’t hot outside, but all of them had cast off their coats while they worked. Even little Benjamin had worked hard alongside his brothers.

Seth had been aware of Rebecca watching them all morning. She’d frowned when he’d yelled at Philip for playing around instead of doing his work. It wasn’t hard to figure out that the boys worked on their own time schedule. Seth wondered how long their adoptive father had been dead. Had he allowed them to play when they were supposed to do chores?

A good while later, Seth left the bunkhouse feeling refreshed. Thanks to his time alone with the Lord, he now had more direction. Clayton carried a sandwich and a glass of milk out to him. The rest of the boys followed.

“Ma said you need to eat something.” The young man handed him the sandwich and milk.

He grinned his thanks and took a big bite. Thick ham and cheese coated his taste buds. The butter-flavored bread that surrounded them tasted wonderful. His stomach growled its appreciation. Seth swallowed. “Let’s head to the corral.” He waved the sandwich.

Feeling as if someone was watching them, Seth turned to the house and found Rebecca standing in the doorway. He waved to her and once more smiled his thanks before turning back to the corral, where the boys waited.

“I thought we were going to work on the barn,” Jacob said as Seth approached.

“We are, but first I wanted to spend some time with the horses.” He looked out at the ten horses. “Have you each chosen the horse you want to train with?” He knew they had but wanted to make sure that one of them hadn’t changed his mind.

The six older boys nodded. Benjamin climbed up on the fence. He looked longingly out at the horses.

“Benjamin?”

The eight-year-old turned to look at him. “Yes, sir?”

“Sir?” Seth allowed a surprised, questioning note to enter his voice.

Benjamin nodded.

“Benjamin, looks like you and I need to get a few things straight.” Seth walked over and leaned against the fence beside the little boy. “The rest of you, go find some rope and then round up your horses.”

The boys pushed and shoved as they went in search of rope. Jacob and Andrew followed at a slower pace, shaking their heads. When they were all out of earshot, Seth told Benjamin, “First, let’s get this straight. I’m not sir, I’m Seth.”

The boy nodded still, looking sad. Seth reached over and tousled his hair.

“Good. Now, how come you didn’t pick a horse?”

Benjamin sighed and climbed a rung higher on the fence, watching the boys exit the stable and enter the corral. “I’m not going to be a rider. I heard you tell Ma last night.”

Seth rubbed his chin. So it had been Benjamin eavesdropping the night before. “Yes, I did say that, but I think you should have a mount.” He watched closely as Jacob returned and quietly singled out a rum-colored pinto, gently rubbing its mane, talking in a low voice. Thomas and Philip followed suit. For all their pushing and shoving, once they were within the corral, they became serious.

“You do?” Hope filled the little boy’s voice.

“Yep, seems to me you’ll need one if we all ride into town or if I need you to go out to the back pasture and get one of the other boys. There are all kinds of reasons a boy needs a horse.” Seth lifted a brow in question, holding the boy’s gaze. “Don’t you think so?”

Benjamin nodded. His hair flopped down into his eyes. “Can I pick out one now?” he asked, already preparing to climb down from the fence.

“Yes, but go see if one of the older boys will help you find some rope.”

“Yippee!” Benjamin ran to the barn, where Andrew and Noah stood cutting lengths of rope.

Each boy returned to the corral and began trying to catch the horses. They weren’t all bad at roping. Jacob, Andrew and Noah were the best and as soon as each caught their own horse, they helped the four brothers. Seth coached from the sidelines.

“I want a horse, too, Ma.” Joy’s young voice sounded behind him.

He turned to face the little girl and Rebecca. Seth finished the milk in his glass and handed it to Rebecca.

“You don’t need a horse, Joy,” she answered her daughter, taking his glass but looking down at her little girl.

“Thanks for lunch,” Seth said, even though he could tell her attention wasn’t on him.

“What if I need to go get one of them out of the pasture? I’ll need a horse then,” Joy argued. Her lip protruded as she looked up at her mother.

Seth was no child expert but he could read the defiance on the cute little face. Her blue-green eyes demanded answers. He had to turn his head to hide his grin, but just as quickly he returned his attention to them. What would Rebecca’s argument be with the child?

She shook her pretty head. “You won’t be going to the pasture to get the boys. Now stop sassing.” Rebecca looked back to Seth. “Are you sure it’s wise to give Benjamin one of the horses?” She tugged her shawl tighter around her shoulders.

“I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t think so,” Seth answered. “He needs to learn to ride just like the others.” He called to the young men behind him, “Boys, bring the horses out here.”

“Come along, Joy. We need to get back to the house and let the men work.” Rebecca’s voice seemed to hold frost. She took the little girl’s hand and headed back to the house.

Seth sighed. He’d warned her that the boys would all have horses. Clayton opened the gate to the corral and waited until all his brothers had passed through before closing it again.

The animals tossed their heads in obvious dislike of the ropes. “Since we lost all our tack in the fire, we’ll need to buy new harnesses and saddles next time we’re in town,” Seth told them as he walked about, inspecting each horse.

“Until then, I suppose we can use my horse’s saddle and bridle. Wait here and get to know your horse.” Seth walked back to the bunkhouse and retrieved his bridle and saddle.

“Since we only have one, you will have to take turns. Starting with the oldest. The rest of you will walk about the farm with your horse. Talk to it, sing to it, do whatever it takes for it to learn the sound of your voice.” Seth carried the bridle and saddle over to Jacob.

Jacob grinned. “Seth, I’ve been saddling a horse since I was twelve.”

“Not this horse,” Seth pointed out. “I want you to saddle and ride him for about thirty minutes and then come back.” He turned to address all the boys. “These horses will become your best friends. It is up to each of you to take care of these animals as if they were family. They will most likely save your life out there, so give them the respect they deserve.”

Each of the boys nodded and petted their horse.

Seth grinned. “Now, I know this is going to sound silly, but if you have a girl horse, talk to her like she’s your sweetheart. If you have a boy, talk to him as if he were your best friend. Animals can sense when they are liked and respected.”

Benjamin kneeled down and looked under his horse. When he turned to Seth he announced, “I have a boy. Good thing, too, ’cause I don’t know how to talk to a sweetheart.”

Laughter and good-natured bantering followed.

“Don’t worry, little brother. You’ll learn soon enough.” Noah grinned across at Benjamin as if he already knew how to talk to a sweetheart. This created more teasing and joking among them all.

Seth shook his head and laughed with them. Working with the boys would be anything but boring. He felt, more than saw, Rebecca watching from the porch. Tonight he’d have to tell her more about how he planned to train with the boys. He hoped that would put her mind at ease. But from the way she paced on the porch, he somehow doubted it would.

Chapter Five

Rebecca tucked her daughter into bed.

“Ma, I want a horse, too.”

She put Joy’s favorite doll under her arm, then smoothed the quilt over them both. “I know, dear. I heard you asking the Lord to change my mind.”

A big smile split the little girl’s mouth and brightened her eyes. “Did He?”

Rebecca chuckled. “No, He did not.” She picked up her daughter’s dress and hung it in the closet. “He hasn’t said a word to me about it, but if the good Lord sees fit to tell me to change my mind, I will. Until then, you put the thought out of your head and get some sleep.” She leaned over and kissed Joy’s forehead.

“I love you, Ma.” Joy’s soft whisper touched Rebecca deeply.

“I love you, too, my Joy.” Rebecca blew out the candle and carried it from the room.

Benjamin’s room was beside his sister’s. Rebecca opened the door a crack. “All tucked in, Benjamin?” she asked. A soft snore was her only answer. Rebecca tiptoed into his room and looked down at him. His hair fell over his small forehead. He was just a little boy.

Memories of earlier in the day caused her heart to quicken in her chest. She’d about swallowed her tongue when she’d seen him leading the big black gelding about the yard. Benjamin looked so much smaller than the other boys and his horse appeared twice as big.

She brushed the hair off his forehead and planted a soft kiss in its place. A smile twitched at his lips. Rebecca stood. Seth worked the little boy too hard—she’d have a word with him tonight. Rebecca blew the candle out beside Benjamin’s bed and left the room.

Jacob leaned against the wall outside Benjamin’s bedroom. “How’s the little guy doing?”

Rebecca smiled at her oldest son. “He’s plum tuckered out.”

Pride filled his voice as he answered, “He put in a full day’s work.”

“I know. I’m going to have a word with Mr. Armstrong about pushing him too hard. He’s just a little boy.” Rebecca set both of the candles on the table in the hall.

“Ma, Seth didn’t drive Beni to work hard. The little guy is trying to prove that he can do anything us older boys can do.” Jacob pushed away from the wall. “Seth seems like a good man. I don’t think he’d do anything to harm Beni or any of the boys.”

Rebecca studied Jacob. “You like him?” she asked, a little surprised. So far, Jacob seemed to buck every decision or action the station keeper suggested, but here he stood now, defending him.

Jacob looked down at his boots. “He’s not Papa John but unless I’ve read him wrong, he is a good man.” He turned to enter his room. “’Night, Ma.”

“Good night, Jacob.”

Rebecca walked down the hall and into the living room. Seth Armstrong might be a good man but she still thought he might be a bit too hard on the younger boys. After all, the man wasn’t a parent, had never dealt with little legs that hurt in the night from cramps or muscle spasms.

She’d seen how he’d pushed Noah hard all day while they worked on the barn. Noah wasn’t like the other boys. Building things and working with wood wasn’t something he enjoyed. Now, give the boy a rifle or a fishing pole and he’d do anything you asked with either of them and he’d do it joyfully. She’d have to explain that to Seth so he’d ease up on the boy. After all, it seemed as if that should be something he’d want to know.

She walked to the kitchen and set the coffeepot onto the back warmer. Rebecca inhaled the hearty aroma and decided one more cup wouldn’t hurt her.

Seth’s voice stilled her hand as she poured hot liquid into her favorite mug. “I’d like a cup of that, if you have plenty.”

Rebecca turned and handed him her mug. “Here you go.” Then she reached for another cup.

“You might want to grab your coat—it’s getting colder and colder out there,” Seth said, leading the way to the front porch.

Rebecca grabbed her blue cloak off the hook by the front door and followed him. He walked to the porch swing and sat down.

“I hope you don’t mind sharing the swing. I’m a mite tired.” Seth yawned as if to prove his point.

Rebecca eased down beside him. “Not at all.” Her gaze moved out to the horse corral. Several horses could be seen, their hooves clopping against the hard ground. She noticed that one of the boys stood by the fence, but she couldn’t make out which of her sons it was.

As if he could read her mind, Seth offered, “That’s Andrew—he pulled first watch.”

She turned to look at him. “What do you mean ‘pulled first watch’?”

“Until the barn is finished, the boys have to take turns keeping watch over the animals. Indians or bandits could attempt to steal them.” He took a cautious sip of his coffee.

Rebecca frowned. “Why aren’t you guarding them? You are the station keeper after all.” She heard the accusation in her voice and flinched inwardly.

As expected, he came back with a bit of harshness of his own. “Because I’ve assigned Andrew to do it.”

“But he’s just a boy.” Rebecca wished she could take the spoken thought back as soon as it hit the night air.

His voice softened. “No, he’s a man.” Seth blew into his cup to cool the coffee.

Rebecca didn’t see him that way. She still remembered the day she and John had brought Andrew home with them. He was twelve and scared. Andrew had clung to John and didn’t want to let him go, even though it was way past bedtime. Andrew had reminded her so much of her brother, Mark, that she’d begged John to sleep in the little boy’s room. John had, leaving her to dwell on the past and her brother’s fear and eventual death.

It was Mark’s death from exposure to the weather when he’d been forced to leave the orphanage at the age of twelve that had prompted Rebecca and John to adopt the boys on their twelfth birthdays. Rebecca wanted to save as many of the boys as she could.

“Rebecca, you are going to have to let them grow up,” Seth said quietly.

It was the first time he’d used her Christian name and she enjoyed the way it sounded. Rebecca looked at him. The light from the moon shone across his face. His eyes held hers. There was no anger in their depths and for that she was thankful.

“You don’t know them like I do. They all have pasts, pasts that you will never understand,” Rebecca told him.

Seth nodded. His eyes searched out Andrew as he said, “You are right there. But I do know he’s willing to protect you from all harm and that’s what he’s doing right now. He’s being a man and he’s protecting what he believes is his to protect.”

Rebecca turned her attention to the corral also. Was Andrew really protecting her and not just the horses? “I still don’t know why he has to take the first watch.”

“He asked for it,” Seth answered.

“Why?” Rebecca turned her attention back to the station keeper.

Seth laughed. “He said he’s less likely to fall asleep now than later in the night or early in the morning. Made sense to me, so I agreed.”

“So all the boys have a time to watch?” she asked, not happy with the idea.

“Yep, even Benjamin.”

Did his shoulders just straighten? Was he anticipating her negative reaction? Well, she wasn’t about to disappoint him. “I won’t have Benjamin sitting out there in the cold alone while the rest of us sleep.” She turned on the seat to face him. “I can’t believe even you would do that to an eight-year-old boy.”

“Well, that’s nice to know. And I didn’t say the boy would be alone.” Seth pushed up from the seat and went to stand by the porch rail.

Rebecca felt heat fill her cheeks. She’d misjudged him. “Oh, good. I’m glad you are going to be with him.”

“I didn’t say that, either.” Seth watched her over the top of his cup.

“Then who will be with him?” Rebecca was beginning to feel exasperated with him.

“Jacob. They are taking the last hour of the morning,” Seth answered. “Before you ask, I’m taking the midnight shift with Noah. If danger strikes, it will probably be then.”

So he would be with Noah. Rebecca had to admit that knowing this made her feel a little better. “Look, I don’t mean to be a pain, Mr. Armstrong, but these are my children. I have a right to know that they are safe. Or at least as safe as you can make them.”

He nodded. “I agree you do have that right. But you have to trust me to keep them as safe as I possibly can.”

Did she trust him? No, why should she? Rebecca told herself she didn’t really know the man at all. Still, Mr. Bromley trusted him, so what other choice did she have? She’d have to try to trust Seth Armstrong to watch after her boys. How did a mother release that kind of trust to a stranger? She reminded herself that to keep her family together, she’d have to try.

* * *

Seth watched the emotions war across her delicate features. He knew what he asked wasn’t easy for her. She’d irritated him as well as made him feel empathy for her all in the past few minutes.

He tossed the remainder of his coffee off the porch. “Look, Rebecca. Over the next few days the boys and I are going to finish the barn and work with the horses—”

“That’s another thing,” she interrupted. “I don’t think Benjamin is old enough to work with the horses.”

Exasperation filled him. Why couldn’t she just accept that he knew what he was doing? “Benjamin is eight years old. By the time I was six, I was riding and caring for my own horse. He’s more than old enough.”

Rebecca studied his face. “Why do you want him to ride a horse?” Suspicion filled her voice. “He’s too small and you know it. Why, his feet barely reach the stirrups.”

“Because he may need to do so. Being a Pony Express station makes this farm vulnerable to all kinds of enemies. Benjamin is small, he can ride fast and get help should we need it.” Seth took off his hat and rested it on the railing.

“It’s dangerous.”

He nodded. “Yes, you’re right, it is. But it’s also why we train them the proper way to act and treat horses. If you don’t trust me, then at least trust Jacob. He’s in charge of Benjamin’s learning.” Seth had seen how she relied on her oldest son. The boy seemed dependable and for that Seth was grateful.

“All right, but please don’t put them in unnecessary danger.” Rebecca stood and pulled her shawl closer around her slender body.

Seth handed her his coffee mug. “I better get some shut-eye. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.” He paused to look at her. “Do you need anything from town?”

“I don’t believe so. Why?” She stopped in front of the closed door.

Seth hurried to help her open it. “We need saddles and bridles for the horses. The ones we had burned in the fire.”

She turned to face him. “Do you need me to go with you?”

Her eyes searched his face.

“No. I just figured if you needed anything you might like to go.” Seth enjoyed the way her eyes sparkled in the evening light. The moon hung in such a way as to shine in her eyes.

“I see. I don’t believe I need anything but if I change my mind I’ll let you know over breakfast.” Rebecca moved into the house. “Thank you for keeping me informed.” She smiled a tired grin and then shut the wooden door behind her.

She really was a beautiful woman. Her weary grin had caused his heart to do a little dance. For the first time, he had noticed twin dimples in her cheeks. He’d always been a sucker for dimples. Seth shook his head to clear it of those unwanted thoughts and feelings. He had a fiancée out there somewhere and had no room for such thoughts.

He walked to where Andrew sat on a stump keeping watch over the horses. His eyes looked heavenward. “Looks like we might get some cold weather soon,” Andrew said in way of greeting.

Seth followed his line of vision. The moon now played hide-and-seek with the dark clouds. A soft ring circled the moon.

“Rain or snow?” he asked.

“Probably rain,” Andrew answered, meeting Seth’s gaze. “I don’t think it is cold enough for snow, but I could be wrong.” The young man shrugged.

A nippy breeze lifted the hair on Seth’s neck. “I believe you are right, but it for sure is getting colder.”

Andrew pulled up his collar. “Yep.”

Seth leaned against the fence rail facing the horses. The night’s silence offered comfort. The horses snorted from time to time and their feet shuffled against the hard-packed dirt. If he closed his eyes he could almost smell their musky scents.

“It’s peaceful out here,” Andrew said. He’d moved to stand beside Seth at the railing. He laid his rifle on the top bar and sighed. “Did Ma give you a hard time about Beni taking a watch?” he asked.

“Not after she learned that Jacob would be with him,” Seth answered truthfully. He’d expected her to put up a better argument. He glanced in Andrew’s direction.

Andrew seemed ever watchful. “That’s good. Ma’s very protective of Beni, and now Noah.”

“How long has Noah been on the farm?” Seth asked, deliberately focusing his attention on the horses.

Andrew heaved a sigh. “About three months, give or take a day. Beni has been here since he was three. The rest of us arrived shortly after our twelfth birthdays.”

Seth could understand Rebecca’s concern. Beni probably still seemed like a baby to her. Noah hadn’t been here long and with the changes going on at the farm and in his life, Rebecca must be worried about his reactions to those changes.

“Are you an orphan, too?” Andrew stared at Seth.

“I guess that depends on how you look at it. I didn’t grow up in an orphanage but I no longer have any family left.” He held the boy’s gaze, waiting for the next question that was sure to follow.

It didn’t take long for Andrew. He asked, “Is that why you signed on with the Pony Express?”

“No, I signed on because I’d been robbed by bandits and needed the money.” Seth didn’t add that he’d been searching for his mail-order bride when he was attacked.

“What was that like?” Andrew picked up his gun and cradled it in his arms. Whether he was angling for company on his watch or was simply curious, Seth couldn’t tell, but decided to answer him honestly.

“Well, I was traveling alone and had decided to bed down in a small grove of trees just outside of town. Normally, my horse lets me know if anyone is around, but on this night, the horse didn’t alert me. Or if he did, I simply didn’t hear him. Anyway, the next thing I knew three men surrounded me with guns.”

“Did you try to fight them?” Andrew propped his leg on the fence and turned from looking at the horses. His face filled with excitement. Seth made a note of his lack of attention to what might be happening around them.

“No, I chose to live instead.”

Andrew sighed in disappointment. “So you just gave them your money.” He turned away and studied the house.

“Yes, I gave them my money and all my supplies, too.”

“Why didn’t you fight them?” Andrew faced him once more. The accusation in his voice caused Seth to pause. It seemed there was more to the question than just curiosity.

“Andrew, there is a time to fight and a time to surrender. Knowing the difference can mean life or death.”

“But they took all your money and supplies.”

Seth nodded. “Yes, but they left me with my life. There is no shame in not fighting when the odds are against you.” He laid a hand on the young man’s shoulder. It was obvious that Andrew had either backed down from a fight or had fought and lost.

“Maybe, but I will never let a man take what is mine away.” Andrew straightened his shoulders and stepped away from Seth.

It was obvious that the boy was hurting, but Seth didn’t think now was the time to confront that hurt. He decided to pray about it instead. “Well, I think I’ll turn in now. Do you need me to spot you for a few minutes? Or will you be all right until Philip relieves you?”

Andrew’s shoulders drooped. “I’ll be all right. I don’t have much longer to wait now.”

“Good night.” Seth walked away, leaving the young man to his guard duty and his own thoughts. Each boy had a story to tell. He couldn’t help but wonder about Andrew’s.

In his room, Seth kneeled down beside his bed and prayed. “Lord, please help me as I work with these young men. I know Andrew is hurting. Please help him to overcome his past and look toward a bright new future. And, Lord, if I can be of service to You or him, please show me how. Amen.” He pulled himself up on the side of the bed.

Working on the Young farm could possibly be more challenging than he’d expected. Seth couldn’t deny that he found Rebecca Young attractive and that made him cautious to even explore thoughts on the matter. How could a man, in such a short time, feel so strong a connection to another person? He could almost guess her next words and he read the expressions on her face and in her eyes so easily. Yet, when it came to the workings of her mind, she seemed to guard herself carefully. And that made him want to keep himself separated from Rebecca and the rest of her family, but, on the other hand, he also felt as if he wanted to jump in with both feet and help them in any way he could. But in doing so, would he regret the outcome?

Chapter Six

Rebecca peered out the window, tongue-tied in surprise as the stage sloshed through the rain puddles in her front yard. What on earth was it doing here? The stage never passed this way. She stepped out onto the front porch.

Seth dashed from the bunkhouse, trying to avoid the tracks made from the wheels. He pulled off his hat and arched a brow at her as he bounded up onto the porch. “I didn’t think the stage stopped here,” he said in way of greeting.

“It doesn’t,” Rebecca answered, watching as the stage came to a complete stop.

The driver jumped from his seat up top. Water and mud splashed around his already soaked pant legs as he hurried to open the door in the pouring rain.

Rebecca watched as a tall, thin, mustached man with graying hair descended the coach steps. He carried a briefcase and his boots shone like oiled lanterns. Rebecca almost cringed as he stepped from the last rung directly into the mud. Mr. James Bromley, one of the Pony Express division superintendents, had graced them with his presence.

She whispered to Seth, “Were you expecting him today?”

“No, I was not,” he said with quiet emphasis. “I can only assume he’s here to check on my progress with the boys.”

Mr. Bromley stepped up onto the porch. “Mrs. Young, Seth.”

Seth stepped forward and shook the older man’s hand. “Mr. Bromley, you chose a dreary day to come for a visit.”

The other man laughed. “It’s pleasant here. In other places along the route they’re still getting snow.”

Rebecca stepped forward. “Please, come inside out of the rain. I’ve made a fresh pot of coffee and you can conduct your business out of the weather.” She held the door open.

“Thank you, Mrs. Young, that would be most appreciated.” Mr. Bromley wiped his feet on the rag rug she’d placed in front of the door and then swept past her. The smell of cigar smoke wafted from him to her sensitive nose.

Seth took the door and held it open for her. He offered an encouraging grin. She passed him in the doorway and immediately noted that Mr. Bromley had made himself at home.

Joy sat on the floor beside the window playing with blocks the boys had given her from the scraps they’d used in rebuilding the barn. She looked up in surprise to find a stranger sitting on her mother’s couch.

“Joy, come with me to the kitchen. We’ll leave the men to discuss their business in private.” Rebecca didn’t wait for the little girl to respond but turned toward her comfortable kitchen. The hearty scent of fresh-brewed coffee filled the sweet-smelling kitchen.

When they were out of earshot of the men, Joy asked, “Ma, can we give Seth some of the cookies we made?”

The two of them had spent the morning making sugar cookies. “I’m sure he would like that. Why don’t you get a plate and put some on it. Make sure the plate isn’t chipped. We want to present our best to Mr. Bromley, don’t we?”

“Yes, Ma.” Joy hurried to the cupboard and reached for one of the special plates used for company. “I hope he likes them.”

“Who? Mr. Bromley?” Rebecca asked. She suspected her daughter was talking about Seth. The little girl followed him around like a puppy. Thankfully, he didn’t seem to mind.

“Yes, but also Seth.” The little girl moved to the big platter of cookies that sat on the counter and picked out several bigger ones. “I think these are the prettiest, don’t you?” she asked.

Rebecca glanced over her shoulder and looked at the cookies. “They sure are,” she agreed.

The smile that graced her daughter’s sweet face pushed away some of the concern Rebecca felt at Mr. Bromley’s arrival. She prayed he’d approve of Seth’s methods and progress with the boys. She told herself it had nothing to do with liking Seth, it had to do with the boys having to adjust to a new station keeper, if Mr. Bromley didn’t approve of Seth and his methods.

A few minutes later, she and Joy were back in the sitting room passing out coffee and cookies. Seth smiled his thanks. He appeared relaxed so Rebecca assumed all had gone well in the men’s discussion.

“I hope you like sugar cookies, Mr. Bromley,” Rebecca said as she handed him his cup.

He selected a cookie from the plate Joy held out to him and smiled. “As a matter of fact, I do.” Mr. Bromley took a bite, closed his eyes and sighed.

Joy smiled at Seth. “I made them. Do you like them, too, Seth?” she asked.

Seth met Rebecca’s gaze over the little girl’s head. He took a bite of the cookie and chewed slowly. A teasing glint entered his eyes as he asked Joy, “Did you dip your finger in the batter?”

Joy shook her head. “No. Ma says that’s yucky and not to do it.”

Seth laughed. “Well, these are the sweetest and best cookies I’ve ever tasted.”

“Mrs. Young, have you considered selling your coffee and cookies?” Mr. Bromley asked in a serious voice.

She set down the coffee tray and frowned. “No. Besides, who would I sell them to?” Rebecca doubted she could sell them at the general store and she didn’t want to deal with Mr. Edwards to try.

He sat forward. “I’m glad you asked. Part of the reason I’m here today is to tell you that we’d like to use your farm as a stagecoach stop as well as a Pony Express home station.” The older man stopped speaking and let his words sink in.

Rebecca looked to Seth, who simply shrugged his shoulders. She turned her attention back to Mr. Bromley and asked, “Do you need my permission to have it stop here?” She wasn’t sure if having her home become the stagecoach stop was a good idea. How would it affect the boys?

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.